Phonak RIC-312T User Manual

Phonak Vitus+

RIC

User Guide

This user guide is valid for:

Wireless model

Phonak Vitus+ RIC-312T

CE mark applied

2018

Your hearing aid details

If no box is checked and you do not know the

model of your hearing aid, please ask your hearing
care professional.

Model

c Vitus+ RIC-312T

Earpiece

c Dome
c SlimTip
c cShell

Your hearing care professional:

Battery size

312

3

Your hearing aids have been developed by Phonak – the
world leader in hearing solutions based in Zurich,
Switzerland.

These premium products are the result of decades of
research and expertise and are designed to keep you
connected to the beauty of sound! We thank you for
making such a great choice and wish you many years of
listening pleasure.

Please read the user guide carefully to make sure that you
understand and get the best out of your hearing aids. For
more information about features and benets, simply
contact your hearing care professional.

Phonak - life is on
www.phonak.com

4

Contents

Your hearing aid

1. Quick guide

2. Parts of the hearing aid
Using the hearing aid

3. Left & right hearing aid markings

4. On/O

5. Batteries

6. Putting on the hearing aid

7. Removing the hearing aid

8. Push button

9. Volume control
Further Information

10. Care and maintenance

11. Exchanging the earwax protection

12. Service and warranty

13. Compliance information

14. Information and description of symbols

15. Troubleshooting

16. Important safety information

6
8

10

11
12
14
15
16
17

18
21
26
28
30
34
36

1. Quick guide

Left & right hearing aid markings

Blue marking for left hearing aid.
Red marking for right hearing aid.

Changing batteries

1 2 3

Remove the
sticker from the
new battery and
wait two minutes.

6

Open the
battery door.

Place battery in
the battery door
with the “+” symbol
facing upwards.

On/O

Push button

Volume control

OOn

The push button on your hearing
aid can have various functions.
The function for your hearing aid is
indicated in your individual
instructions.

To increase the volume, press the
volume control upwards. To decrease
the volume, press the volume control
downwards.

7

2. Parts of the hearing aid

The pictures below show the models described in this user
guide. You can identify your personal model by:

• Checking “Your hearing aid details” on page 3.

• Or comparing your hearing aid with the following
shown models. Pay attention to the shape of the
hearing hearing aid and if a volume control is present.

Possible earpieces

SlimTipDome

8

cShell

Vitus+ RIC-312T

Tube

Anchor (optional)

Push button

Battery door

Speaker (without earpiece attached)

9

3. Left & right hearing aid markings

1

Open the battery door. To do
this, pull down on the ridge at
the bottom of the hearing aid.

2

There is a red or blue marking inside the battery door and
on the speaker. This will tell you if it is a left or a right
hearing aid.

Blue marking for left hearing aid.
Red marking for right hearing aid.

10

4. On/O

The battery door is also the on/o switch.

1

Closed battery door =
hearing aid is on

2

Open battery door =
hearing aid is o

When you switch on the hearing aid you may hear a

start-up melody.

11

5. Batteries

1 2 3

Remove the
sticker from the
new battery and
wait two minutes.

If it is dicult to close the battery door:

Check that the battery is inserted correctly and the
“+” symbol is facing the “+” label inside the battery
compartment. If the battery is not inserted
correctly, the hearing aid will not work and the
battery door can be damaged.

Open the
battery door.

Place battery in
the battery door
with the “+”
symbol facing
upwards.

12

Low power: You will hear two beeps when the battery

is low. You will have approximately 30 minutes to
change the battery (this can vary, depending on the
hearing aid settings and battery). We recommend that
you always have a new battery on hand.

Replacement battery

This hearing aid requires zinc-air batteries. Identify the
correct battery size (312) by:

• Checking “Your hearing aid details” on page 3.

• Checking the marking on the inner side of the

battery door.

• Or checking the following table.

Model

Phonak Vitus+
RIC-312T

Zinc air
battery
size

312

Color
marking on
package

brown

IEC
code

PR41

Please ensure you use the correct type of battery in

your hearing aids (zinc-air). Please also read chapter

16.2 for further information on product safety.

ANSI
code

7002ZD

13

6. Putting on the hearing aid

1

Place the hearing aid behind
your ear.

2

Insert the earpiece into your
ear canal.

3

If there is an anchor attached
to the earpiece, tuck it into
the bowl of your ear to secure
your hearing aid.

14

7. Removing the hearing aid

1

Pull on the bend of the tube
and remove the hearing aid
from behind the ear.

In very rare cases, your earpiece can remain in your

ear canal when removing the hearing aid from the
ear. In the unlikely case that the earpiece does get
stuck in your ear canal, it is strongly recommended
to see a medical specialist for safe removal.

15

8. Push button

The push button on your
hearing aid can have
various functions or is not
active. This depends on
the programming of the
hearing aid, which is
indicated in your
individual “Hearing aid
instructions”. Please ask
your hearing care
professional for this
printout.

16

9. Volume control

To increase the volume,
press the volume control
upwards. To decrease the
volume, press the volume
control downwards.
The volume control can
be disabled by the hearing
care professional.

17

10. Care and maintenance

Diligent and routine care of your hearing aid contributes
to outstanding performance and a long service life.

Please use the following specications as a guideline.
Further information regarding product safety, see
chapter 16.2.

General information

Before using hair spray or applying cosmetics, you should
remove your hearing aid from your ear, because these
products may damage it.

When you are not using your hearing aid, leave the
battery door open so that any moisture can evaporate.
Make sure that you always completely dry your hearing
aid after use. Store the hearing aid in a safe, dry and
clean place.

18

Your hearing aids are resistant to water, sweat and dust
under the following conditions:

• The battery door is fully closed. Ensure that no foreign

object such as hair is caught in the battery door when it
is closed.

• After exposure to water, sweat or dust, the hearing aid

is cleaned and dried.

• The hearing aid is used and maintained as described in

this user guide.

Hearing aids with the design-integrated Roger

receiver are also water resistant.

Hearing aids with an audio shoe and Roger X are

not water resistant.

Use of your hearing aid around water can restrict

air ow to the batteries causing it to stop working.
Should your hearing aid stop working after coming
into contact with water, refer to the
troubleshooting steps in chapter 15.

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Daily

Inspect the earpiece for earwax and moisture deposits.
Clean the surfaces with a lint-free cloth or use the small
brush provided in the hearing aid hard case. Never use
cleaning agents such as household detergents, soap, etc.
for cleaning your hearing aid. It is not recommended to
rinse with water. If you need to clean your hearing aid
intensively, ask your hearing care professional for advice
and information on lters or drying capsules.

Weekly

Clean the earpiece with a soft, damp cloth or with a
special cleaning cloth for hearing aids. For more in depth
maintenance instructions or for more than basic cleaning,
please see your hearing care professional.

20

11. Exchanging the earwax
protection

Your hearing aid is equipped with an earwax protection to
protect the speaker from earwax damage.

Please check the earwax protector regularly and exchange
it if it looks dirty or if the hearing aid volume or sound
quality is reduced. The earwax protection should be
replaced every four to eight weeks.

11.1 Removing the earpiece from the speaker

1

Remove the earpiece from the
speaker by holding the speaker
in one hand and the earpiece in
the other.

21

2

Gently pull on the earpiece
to remove.

3

Clean the speaker with a
lint-free cloth.

22

11.2 Exchanging the earwax protection

1

Insert the removal side of the
exchange tool into the used
earwax protector. The shaft
of the holder should touch the
rim of the earwax protector.

2

Carefully pull and remove
the earwax protector straight
out of the speaker. Please do
not twist the earwax protector
when removing.

23

3

To insert the new earwax
protector, gently push the
insertion side of the exchange
tool straight into the hole of the
speaker until the outer ring is
perfectly aligned.

4

Pull the tool straight out.
The new earwax protector will
remain in place. Now attach
your earpiece to the speaker.

24

11.3 Attaching the earpiece to the speaker

1

Hold the speaker in one hand
and the earpiece in the other.

2

Slide the earpiece over the
speaker sound outlet.

3

The speaker and the earpiece
should t perfectly together.

25

12. Service and warranty

Local warranty

Please ask the hearing care professional, where you
purchased your hearing aid, about the terms of the
local warranty.

International warranty

Sonova AG oers a one year limited international
warranty, valid starting from the date of purchase.
This limited warranty covers manufacturing and
material defects in the hearing aid itself, but not
accessories such as batteries, tubes, earmolds,
external receivers. The warranty only comes into
force if a proof of purchase is shown.

The international warranty does not aect any legal
rights that you might have under applicable national
legislation governing sale of consumer goods.

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Warranty limitation

This warranty does not cover damage from improper
handling or care, exposure to chemicals or undue stress.
Damage caused by third parties or non-authorized service
centers renders the warranty null and void. This warranty
does not include any services performed by a hearing care
professional in their oce.

Serial number
(left side):

Serial number
(right side):

Date of purchase:

Authorized hearing care
professional (stamp/signature):

27

13. Compliance information

Europe:
Declaration of Conformity

Hereby Sonova AG declares that this product meets the
requirements of the Medical Devices Directive 93/42/EEC
as well as the Radio Equipment Directive 2014/53/EU.
The full text of the EU Declaration of Conformity can be
obtained from the manufacturer or the local Phonak
representative whose address can be taken from the list
on www.phonak.com (Phonak worldwide locations).

Australia/New Zealand:

Indicates a device’s compliance with applicable
Radio Spectrum Management’s (RSM) and
Australian Communications and Media Authority
(ACMA) regulatory arrangements for the legal sale
in New Zealand and Australia.
The compliance label R-NZ is for radio products
supplied in the New Zealand market under
conformity level A1.

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Radio information of your wireless hearing aid

Antenna type

Operation frequency
Occupied bandwidth
(99% BW)
Modulation
Channel
Operating range
Use case

Magnetic eld strength
@ 10 m

Integrated ferrite coil
antenna (inductive)

10.6 MHz
approx. 500 kHz

DQPSK
Single channel radio
18 cm (7”)
Streaming of audio or
command signal to
receiving hearing aid on
the other ear

-25 dBµA/m

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14. Information and description

of symbols

With the CE symbol, Sonova AG conrms that this
product – including accessories – meets the
requirements of the Medical Devices Directive
93/42/EEC as well as the Radio Equipment
Directive 2014/53/EU. The numbers after the
CE symbol correspond to the code of certied
institutions that were consulted under the
above-mentioned directives.

This symbol indicates that the products described
in these user instructions adhere to the
requirements for an applied part of Type B of EN
60601-1. The surface of the hearing aid is
specied as an applied part of Type B.

Indicates the medical device manufacturer, as
dened in EU Directive 93/42/EEC.

30

This symbol indicates that it is important for the
user to read and take into account the relevant
information in these user guides.

This symbol indicates that it is important for the
user to pay attention to the relevant warning
notices in these user guides.

Important information for handling and
product safety.

During transportation keep dry.

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Operating

The product is designed such that it functions

conditions

without problems or restrictions if used as
intended, unless otherwise noted in these user
guides. The hearing aids are classied IP68 (depth
of 1 meter for 60 minutes) and designed to be
used in all daily life situations. Therefore you do
not have to worry about getting the hearing
aids exposed to a rain shower or sweat. However,
the hearing aid is not intended to be used in
water activities that includes chlorinated water,
soap, salt water or other liquids with a
chemical content.

Indicates the manufacturer’s serial number so that
a specic medical device can be identied.

Indicates the manufacturer’s catalogue number so
that the medical device can be identied.

32

Temperature during transportation and storage:
–20° to +60° Celsius (–4° to +140° Fahrenheit).

Humidity during transportation: Up to 90% (non
condensing).
Humidity during storage: 0% to 70%, if not in use.
See instruction in chapter 16.2 regarding drying
the hearing aid after use.

Atmospheric pressure: 200 hPA to 1500 hPa

The symbol with the crossed-out garbage
bin is to make you aware that this hearing
aid may not be thrown away as normal household
waste. Please dispose of old or unused hearing
aids, at waste disposal sites intended for electronic
waste, or give your hearing aid to your hearing
care professional for disposal. Proper disposal
protects the environment and health.

33

15. Troubleshooting

Problem

Hearing aid not functioning

Hearing aid whistles

Hearing aid not loud enough
or distorted

Hearing aid plays two beeps
Hearing aid switches on & o

(intermittent)

If the problem persists, contact your hearing care professional

for assistance.

34

Causes

Dead battery
Blocked speaker/earpiece
Battery not inserted correctly
Hearing aid switched o

Hearing aid not inserted correctly
Earwax in ear canal
Volume too loud
Low battery
Speaker/earpiece blocked
Volume too low
Hearing has changed
Indication for low battery
Moisture on battery or

hearing aid

What to do

Change battery (chapter 1 + 5)
Clean speaker opening/earpiece
Insert battery correctly (chapter 1 + 5)
Switch hearing aid on by completely closing the battery door
(chapter 4)
Insert hearing aid correctly (chapter 6)
Contact your ENT/GP or hearing care professional
Decrease volume (chapter 1 + 8 + 9)
Change battery (chapter 1 + 5)
Clean speaker opening/earpiece
Turn volume up if volume control available (chapter 1 + 8 + 9)
Contact you hearing care professional
Change battery within the next 30 minutes (chapter 1 + 5)
Wipe battery and hearing aid with dry cloth

35

16. Important safety information

Please read the information on the following pages before
using your hearing aid.

A hearing aid will not restore normal hearing and will not
prevent or improve a hearing impairment resulting from
organic conditions. Infrequent use of a hearing aid does not
permit a user to attain full benet from it. The use of a
hearing aid is only part of hearing habilitation and may
need to be supplemented by auditory training and
instruction in lipreading.

36

16.1 Hazard warnings

The intended use of
hearing aids is to amplify
and transmit sound to the
ears and hereby
compensate for impaired
hearing. The hearing aids
(specially programmed for
each hearing loss) must
only be used by the
intended person. They
should not be used by any
other person as they could
damage hearing.

Changes or modications
to the hearing aid that
were not explicitly
approved by Sonova AG
are not permitted. Such
changes may damage your
ear or the hearing aid.

Do not use the hearing
aids in explosive areas
(mines or industrial areas
with danger of explosions,
oxygen rich environments
or areas where ammable
anesthetics are handled).

Hearing aid batteries are
toxic if they are swallowed!
Keep out of the reach of
children, individuals with
cognitive impairment, and
pets. If batteries are
swallowed, consult your
physician immediately!

37

If you feel pain in or
behind your ear, if it is
inamed or if skin
irritation and accelerated
accumulations of earwax
occur, please check with
your hearing care
professional or physician.

In very rare cases, the
dome can remain in your
ear canal when removing
the hearing tube from the
ear. In the unlikely case
that the dome does get
stuck in your ear canal, it
is strongly recommended
to see a physician for
safe removal.

Hearing programs in the
directional microphone
mode reduce background
noises. Please be aware

38

that warning signals or
noises coming from
behind, e. g. cars, are
partially or entirely
suppressed.

This hearing aid is not for
children below 36 months.
It contains small parts
that can cause choking,
if swallowed by children.
Keep out of the reach of
children, individuals
with cognitive impairment,
and pets. If swallowed,
consult a physician or
hospital immediately.

Do not make a wire
connection from your
hearing aid to any external
audio sources like radio
etc. That could cause
injuries on your body
(electric shock).

The following is only
applicable for persons with
active implantable medical
devices (i.e. pacemakers,
debrillators, etc.):

Keep the wireless hearing

aid at least 15 cm

(6 inches) away from the
active implant. If you
experience any interference,
do not use the wireless
hearing aids and contact
the manufacturer of the
active implant. Please, note
that interference can also
be caused by power lines,
electrostatic discharge,
airport metal detectors etc.

Keep magnets (i.e. battery

handling tool, EasyPhone

magnet, etc.) at least
15 cm (6 inches) away
from the active implant.

Hearing aids should not be
tted with domes / wax
protection systems when
used by clients with
perforated eardrums,
inamed ear canals or
otherwise exposed middle
ear cavities. In these cases,
we recommend the use of
a custom earpiece. In the
unlikely case that any part
of this product should
remain in the ear canal, it
is strongly recommended
to see a medical specialist
for safe removal.

39

16.2 Information on product safety

Phonak hearing aids are

water resistant and not
waterproof. They are
designed to withstand
normal activities and
occasional accidental
exposure to extreme
conditions. Never immerse
your hearing aid in water!
Phonak hearing aids are not
specically designed for
extended periods of water
submersion on a continual
basis, that is worn in
activities such as swimming
or bathing. Always remove
your hearing aid before
these activities, as the
hearing aid contains
sensitive electronic parts.

40

Never wash the

microphone inputs. Doing
so could cause it to lose its
special acoustic features.

Protect your hearing aid

from heat (never leave near
a window or in the car).
Never use a microwave or
other heating devices to
dry your hearing aid. Ask
your hearing care
professional about suitable
drying methods.

The dome should be

changed every three
months or when it
becomes sti or brittle.
This is to prevent the dome
from detaching from the

tube spout during insertion
into or removal from
the ear.

When you are not using

your hearing aid, leave the
battery door open so that
any moisture can
evaporate. Make sure that
you always completely dry
your hearing aid after use.
Store the hearing aid in a
safe, dry and clean place.

Do not drop your hearing

aid! Dropping onto a hard
surface can damage your
hearing aid.

a new one to avoid any
skin irritation. You can
return used batteries
to your hearing care
professional.

The batteries used in these

hearing aids should not
exceed 1.5 Volts. Please do
not use silver-zinc or Li-ion
(lithium-ion) rechargeable
batteries as these may
cause severe damage to
your hearing aids. The table
in chapter 5 explains
exactly which type of
battery your particular
hearing aids require.

Always use new batteries

for your hearing aid. In
case a battery is leaking,
replace it immediately with

Remove the battery if

you are not using your
hearing aid for a long
period of time.

41

Special medical or dental

examination including
radiation described below,
may adversely aect the
correct functioning of your
hearing aids. Remove and
keep them outside the
examination room/area
before undergoing:

Medical or dental

examination with X-ray
(also CT scan).

Medical examinations with

MRI/NMRI scans,
generating magnetic elds.
Hearing aids don’t need to
be removed when passing
security gates (airports
etc.). If X-ray is used at all,
it will be in very low doses,
and will not aect the
hearing aids.

42

Do not use your hearing

aid in areas where
electronic equipment
is prohibited.

Notes

Your hearing care professional:

Manufacturer:

Sonova AG
Laubisrütistrasse 28
CH-8712 Stäfa
Switzerland
www.phonak.com

029-0564-02/V1.00/2017-09/FO © 2017 Sonova AG All rights reserved